Call for participation: Open Source in libraries

[Rob Lembree]

On Sun, 2004-01-04 at 17:10, Randy Edwards wrote:
> > Assuming you are talking about Windows versions, i will gladly burn a Cd
> > or two of the following and keep them up to day as I use them at work on
> > my windows box:
> 
>     Might I suggest using TheOpenCD instead?  That project already creates a 
> CD of Windows-based free software and the team that puts it together updates 
> it fairly regularly.

The OpenCD is definitely part of my list!  

I know that we're a Linux user group, but I think that introducing
folks to open source in general makes sense too.  Hence, the OpenCD
being part of the plan.

I'm curious, what things should the library have in its circulating
collections?  What distributions should be there?  Other things?

>     I think the key that's needed for a library outreach effort (sorry, but 
> I can't resist throwing in my $0.02 worth) is the human contact with the 
> individual libraries: the general chit-chat and education in free software 
> alternatives, along with various amounts of hand-holding and support.

Providing classes is part of the plan, and the library is
encouraging us to do that.  They have a small computer lab set
up with a server and a few Wyse Winterms.  Presumably, we
could use the Winterms to talk to a Linux server to do some 
classes.  Intro to Linux, Intro to OpenOffice, Intro to Gimp,
etc., all seem like good candidates to me.

r

-- 
Rob Lembree <lembree at jumpshift.com>
JumpShift, LLC